Author Archive
Chris Teale
Digital Government
Supreme Court clarifies when public officials can block citizens on social media
The Supreme Court unanimously found in a pair of cases that whether a government official can block a constituent on their personal social media account hinges on if a post is a state action or is private conduct.
- By Chris Teale
Management
There are 100,000 fewer Election Day polling places in 2024
A major Supreme Court decision, a pandemic and localized issues have all conspired to reduce the number of physical voting locations. Advocates say that’s bad for democracy.
- By Chris Teale
Finance
From paper to portal: How one city brought tax filings online
Under an aggressive modernization strategy, Columbus, Ohio, has built a one-stop shop for filing income tax returns.
- By Chris Teale
Cybersecurity
17 million cyberattacks a day: How Oklahoma stops 99% of them
In a recent interview, the state’s CISO talks about zero trust, the upside to COVID and triaging the state’s aging tech infrastructure.
- By Chris Teale
Emerging Tech
Americans are skeptical of online age verification, even as its use grows abroad
States are turning to technology to verify users’ ages before allowing access to social media and other content. But the approach faces an uphill climb without a national data privacy law that addresses Americans' concerns about the safety of their personal data.
- By Chris Teale
Workforce
Meet the newest member of your team: the chief AI officer
Federal agencies must hire a CAIO by year’s end. State and local governments could soon follow their lead, but some observers doubt that another C-suite officer is the best way to go.
- By Chris Teale
Emerging Tech
AI tools lack ‘expertise’ for site selection
A recent study found that generative AI doesn't produce the same results as humans when helping businesses pick a city or state for a new factory or headquarters. It also doesn't explain how it makes its choices—a troubling finding, researchers say.
- By Chris Teale
Emerging Tech
AI could help clear food stamp backlogs plaguing some states
States are increasingly seeing it as a way to better process public benefit programs amid workforce shortages and outdated technology issues. But change can be incremental amid policy and money concerns.
- By Chris Teale
Digital Government
Justices appear skeptical of states' social media censorship laws
The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in two cases challenging Florida and Texas laws designed to prevent the alleged censorship of conservative viewpoints on social media. Observers say the decision could shape the future of free speech on the internet.
- By Chris Teale
Management
West Virginia’s top election official on trust, social media and secure elections
Ahead of what promises to be a hectic election season, Secretary of State Mac Warner spent part of his last National Association of Secretaries of State Winter Conference touching on conspiracy theories, among other topics.
- By Chris Teale
Management
Feds preach vigilance amid multiple physical, cyber threats against election officials
In response, agencies as varied as CISA and the Postal Inspection Service are offering a slew of free and low-cost resources in a bid to help states and localities keep issues under control.
- By Chris Teale
Emerging Tech
States clash over what responsible AI looks like
While some states are still establishing task forces and preparing to take advantage of the tech, others are more hesitant, warning of job losses and federal influence on a nascent industry.
- By Chris Teale
Management
Election leaders debut new standards of conduct, aim to build trust ahead of key races
The standards call for better communication and more transparency. Secretaries of state and other election administrators on hand for the announcement also detailed the challenges they are facing leading up the November general election.
- By Chris Teale
Digital Government
AI misinformation a ‘whole new area’ for elections officials to deal with
Intergovernmental collaboration will be crucial in fighting the proliferation of AI deepfakes this election cycle, especially in helping voters navigate increasingly sophisticated robocalls and political ads.
- By Chris Teale
Cybersecurity
Who should be in charge of protecting our water systems from cyber threats?
Federal officials don’t agree. Recent hacks on water systems exposed their vulnerabilities. But while some want the EPA to play a stronger role, others emphasized that local systems are best suited to defend themselves.
- By Chris Teale
Digital Government
As privacy conversations become mainstream, data protection laws gain traction
The Garden State is the 13th to adopt a comprehensive data privacy framework, with more to go into effect this year and others set to follow with similar legislation.
- By Chris Teale
Cybersecurity
States slowly embrace ‘whole-of-state’ cybersecurity approach
Federal grants helped spur adoption of the strategies across the country, but hurdles remain as more look to follow suit.
- By Chris Teale
Digital Government
Social media declared a ‘public health hazard,’ as efforts to rein it in ramp up
New York City Mayor Eric Adams made the announcement last week, while Florida lawmakers advanced a bill banning accounts for anyone under 16 years of age.
- By Chris Teale
Digital Government
States push ahead with social media laws amid legal challenges
Utah delayed its efforts for litigation purposes, while a judge blocked an Ohio law. But that hasn’t stopped other states, most recently Idaho and New York, from introducing their own restrictions to protect minors.
- By Chris Teale
Infrastructure
Pressure mounts to extend low-income broadband subsidy
After the FCC released guidance on how it planned to wind down the Affordable Connectivity Program, more state and local officials are urging Congress to maintain funding.
- By Chris Teale